Lara: Jordan’s coming by today.
Austin: What for?
Lara: Just wanted to check out the house.
Lara cocked her head.
Lara: Don’t tell me you didn’t tell anyone we were leaving.
Austin: Of course, not. You know me. I told them in January.
Lara: But… you told me in March.
Austin clapped his hands.
Austin: What do you say we visit the chicken coop?
The grass outside was a little muddy from the slight rain last night. That didn’t stop Annie from collecting eggs from the coop.
Annie: Mornin’.
Austin: Didn’t expect you to be working so early. What gives?
Annie: I could ask you the same thing.
Austin’s black ripped jeans and white shoes didn’t fit the farmhand ideal.
Austin: I just wanted to show Lara around. Y’know, get her used to this place a bit more.
Lara: I’m sorry, we must be bothering you. We’ll let you get back to work, Annie.
Lara tries to leave, but Austin stops her, chuckling a bit to himself.
Austin: What she means is that we’d love to help you.
Annie: I don’t mind the help from the missus. But you? No, you need to get changed.
Austin looked at Lara’s attire as she’d changed into a set of brown boots and denim overalls, similar to Annie’s. He kisses Lara’s cheek and heads toward the house.
Austin: See you in a minute! And be careful with Rita! She’s got the sharpest beak.
Lara looks at Annie. She’s still a little uneasy around her but can tell that Annie doesn’t even care about her presence.
Lara: Listen… I know we got off on the wrong foot. And I’m sorry.
Lara sticks out her hand.
Lara: Do over? As neighbors, I mean.
Annie glances at her, clearly only focused on the chickens in front of her.
Annie: You just gonna stand there or help me out?
Lara: Oh– Sure. Yes.
Lara kneels, watching Annie’s hands carefully. Annie hands her a basket.
Annie: There are 8 in there. Just grab them. Don’t mind the others.
Lara opens the lock to the coop, quickly shutting the door behind her. A few wakes from the rattle of the gated door, and soon more are flapping around. She shushes the chickens to no avail but creeps into some nests anyway. One bird pecks at her fingers, but Lara can barely feel it. She finds 2 eggs in one nest and 4 in another.
Lara: Ow! What—
A chicken pecks Lara in her arm, this time, the pain lingers.
Lara: You must be Rita.
Lara dashes to another nest, only finding one egg. When she sees white poking from another, she makes her way over. Unfortunately, her boots suffer a certain hiccup.
Lara: You’re kidding me.
Lara exits the coop and sets the basket in front of Annie.
Annie: Hey, careful! What’s up with you?
Lara: Chicken sh*t.
Annie: What, you get bit?
Lara: I mean I stepped in actual chicken sh*t.
Annie: Welcome to the club.
Lara pauses for a minute, but then she can’t help but laugh. As if infectious, Annie laughs too.
Annie: Not bad. ‘Cept, you’re an egg short.
Lara: Sorry about that.
Annie: No, don’t. It’s fine.
Annie lends out her hand.
Annie: Good work today, neighbor.
Lara: Thanks.
Annie and Lara shake hands. In the distance, a car pulls up in the driveway. Out of the blue Toyota, steps a brunette woman, adorned in a white sundress. Spotting Lara, the woman waves.
Lara: Jordan!
Lara races towards her and embraces her.
Jordan: God, it’s so good to see you!
Lara: Same here! Please, come inside! Let me show you around.
Lara looks over at Annie who shares her glance. They smile, and Lara heads inside the house. Over the kitchen counter is Austin, enjoying a glass of apple juice.
Jordan: Austin… How are you?
Austin: I’m fine. Loving the dress, J. But it’s a bad idea.
Jordan: What?
Lara: Don’t listen to him. It’s just I was going to have a paint day and…
Jordan: Oh my god, of course, I’d help you. I just don’t have a change of clothes, though…
Lara: You can borrow some of mine.
Jordan follows Lara into her bedroom. There, she takes in the light breeze that flies through the opened window. As Lara looks through some drawers, Jordan lifts the window sill more, eyeing the vacant roads.
Jordan: How’s the country life treating you?
Lara walked behind her, holding a light rumpled blouse and loose denim shorts.
Lara: Hasn’t killed me yet.
Jordan laughs. Her eyes set on an orchid sitting on Lara’s hickory nightstand. She took the blouse from Lara’s hand, placing it over her dress. Then removing the dress’s straps from under the shirt, she slipped on the shorts. At the same time, Lara turned around, of course.
Jordan: It can’t be all bad. You’ve got Austin, right?
Lara: Yeah. I’ve got Austin.
The girls walked downstairs to find Austin holding a bucket of baby blue paint. Some of it oozed from the sides and more was found on his white sleeveless shirt.
Austin: Wanted to paint you, ladies, a base is all.
Lara: Austin…
Lara took the bucket and set it down. She grabbed 3 rollers and brushes from a closet and handed two each to Jordan and Austin.
Lara: You’re on kitchen duty, sir. And J, you’re with me.
The three instantly got to work. Lara started with the interior of the living room. Jordan worked her way into the bathroom, first taping above the surfaces to avoid any paint on the furniture. Austin painted the kitchen with one hand as the other was occupied with a blueberry muffin. He ate a little more than six. By the time they were done, the sun had already set. The paint had decorated most of their hands by now. The girls showered before Austin and sat in the living room, celebrating each other's work.
Lara: Thanks for your help today, J. Are you sure I can’t give you anything?
Jordan: Keep your money, Lara, I’m serious. This was just a favor.
Austin returned from his shower, setting a cup of coffee on the table.
Lara: Really? Right before bed?
Austin: I figured I’d be driving Jordan home. Right, J?
Jordan: Thanks, Austin, but you don’t have to.
Lara: She’s right. Why not just stay the night? You’re not working tomorrow.
Jordan: Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to take up any space.
Austin: It’s fine. We’ve got a guest room down the hall.
The house’s lights soon dimmed as everyone had gone to bed. Lara texted her parents and scrolled on Instagram for the longest time. The night was still until she wasn’t. She’d heard a sound from downstairs. She sat up, looking at Austin. She heard the sound again. This time, from outside the door. Lara went into the hallway, making her way to the guest room. She peered inside, but Jordan was just dreaming. She then closed the door quietly and crept downstairs. She stood in the kitchen, waiting for the sound. However, a new sound rang, a creak, and Lara turned her head. This time, the lights flickered.